(Above) Imagined view looking south and west from a new observation deck proposed for the top of Aon Center. Images obtained from The 601W Companies. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

By Steven Dahlman

22-May-18  Owners of Aon Center in the Loop think they can bring two million people per year to the 82nd and 83rd floors of their commercial office tower.

A glass-enclosed elevator would take visitors 1,136 feet up the northwest corner of the building to an observatory and restaurant. To get to the elevator, they would cross over from a new pavilion in the southeast corner of the ground floor.

Representatives of The 601W Companies unveiled their proposal on May 14 at a community meeting hosted by 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly.

The observation deck, says the company, will provide the city with a new and spectacular family activity and experience.

(Right) Pavilion next to Columbus Drive that would lead to elevator and then to roof of Aon Center.

The project requires zoning approval by the Chicago City Council but if built it would be the citys third observation deck. 360 Chicago is located on the 94th floor of John Hancock Center. Skydeck Chicago is on the 103rd floor of Willis Tower.

Celebrate the birth and life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with Chicago Sinfonietta as it presents its signature annual MLK Tribute Concert. Chicago Sinfonietta will perform Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Egmont Overture Op. 84, Adolphus Hailstork’s Epitaph for a Man Who Dreamed, Trevor Weston’s The People Could Fly, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Petite Suite de Concert Op. 77, plus Sir Michael Tippett’s Five Negro Spirituals from A child of our time and James Lee III’s Come Unto Me. A continued spoken word performance of Dr. King’s most important speeches will be interlaced with the musical components of the program. 7:30 p.m., Symphony Center, 220 South Michigan Avenue. Tickets: $10-62. Map. More info.

Tuesday

City Club of Chicago presents Lou Raizin, president of Broadway in Chicago, on Arts, Culture, Politics, and Power. Raizin leads the five premier theater stages in the city, bringing an economic impact of more than $750 million annually to the City of Chicago and State of Illinois. He created and currently chairs the Board of LUMA8 (Light Up My Arts), an entity of which currently supports the Arts In The Dark Parade and the River Walk Lantern Festival. He is also Board Chair of Chicago Loop Alliance. 11:30 a.m. reception, 12:00 p.m. luncheon. Maggiano’s Banquets, 111 West Grand Avenue. Cost: $50. Map. More info.